THE twins ran at full speed, their little sneakers kicking up dust as Amelia stepped out of the car. She barely had time to shut the door before two small bodies collided into her.
“Mommyyyyy!”
They wrapped themselves around her waist, nearly knocking her off balance. Amelia let out a startled laugh, her arms instinctively tightening around them as she dropped her handbag onto the bonnet of the car.
“Oh my babies!” she breathed, crouching slightly so she could hold them properly. She kissed Gabriel’s forehead, then Gaddiel’s cheeks, over and over again, as though making up for every day she had been away.
“You didn’t tell us!” Gabriel accused between giggles.
“You said you were still on your trip!” Gaddiel added, staring at her like she had just materialized from thin air.
Amelia smi
